Can You Freeze Tortillas?
You have probably used either corn or flour tortillas to hold fillings. They are majorly Mexican cuisine and have several health benefits. For example, corn tortillas are good for your heart and digestive system as it’s a whole grain.
Tortillas are enjoyable when warm and fresh. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t cook extra and store the leftovers. You can also buy more tortillas from your grocery store if they are on sale and keep them for future use.
But what’s the right method of storing tortillas for long and have them fresh without losing taste and texture? We have the best way you can use to freeze tortillas, so read on.
Table of Contents
Can you freeze corn tortillas?
Yes. You can freeze corn tortillas just the same way you’d do with the ones made of flour. If you bought them from the store, freeze them that way using its packaging. But if you already opened it, press out the air, put them in a freezer bag, seal it, and freeze it.
Lay your tortillas flat in the freezer if you want to maintain their shape. If you freeze your corn tortillas in the right way, they can last for around six months. Ensure you freeze them under constant temperature to prevent them from going bad and losing texture.
If possible, don’t thaw frozen tortillas and later return them to the freezer. It is advisable to remove the tortillas from the freezer to the refrigerator and not shock them at room temperature.
Can you freeze flour tortillas?
Yes, you can freeze flour tortillas. Frozen flour tortillas maintain their fresh taste better than corn tortillas. If you’ve got several tortillas you intend to use for more than a day, freeze them in different freezer bags.
But if you’re freezing for a shorter time, don’t remove them in the original packaging you bought them from. But wrap them with foil to avoid freezer burns.
If you want to freeze them in smaller quantities, remove the packing. Then use parchment paper in between them to prevent them from getting stuck on one another.
After that, place them in a freezer bag. Ensure you press out air and seal the bag well before putting it in the freezer. If you follow this process diligently, your tortillas can last up to eight months in the freezer.
Can you freeze flour tortillas in their original store packaging?
If you bought your flour tortillas, freezing them in their original packaging is possible. However, you need to wrap them in another layer of cling film. Or, if you have freezer bags, put them in and seal tightly after pressing out air. Doing this will prevent your tortillas from freezer burns.
Can you freeze homemade flour tortilla dough and cook after defrosting?
Yes, you can freeze uncooked flour tortilla dough. Before freezing the dough, shape them into golf ball-sized round balls. Put the balls in a lined baking sheet, then cover and let them freeze until hard.
After the tortilla dough becomes hard, wrap each in a cling film and store them in a freezer bag. You can then be removing a certain amount, thaw it in the fridge and cook.
Can you refrigerate tortillas?
It’s possible to store tortillas in the fridge though they will not last long. Tortillas can take up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Use the following tips if you refrigerate your tortillas;
- Put them in the fridge using unopened store packaging.
- If you already opened it or they are homemade tortillas, place the packaging in a freezer bag.
- You can also use a plastic bag for your homemade tortillas to protect them from moisture.
- If you don’t have either, an airtight container will do. Ensure you close it tightly to maintain the softness of your tortillas for a long. Use wax paper between each to prevent them from sticking together.
- A plate can also save your back when you want to refrigerate tortillas. They will help keep them in the right shape too. Cover your tortillas using a foil to prevent moisture.
- If you store your tortillas in the freezer, check them regularly to see if their edges or top surface have mold. If they contain molds, don’t think twice but throw them in the bin.
How long do tortillas last?
If you don’t place your tortillas in a freezer, they can last for a week in the pantry. But that will largely depend on their date of expiry, how they were processed and stored.
If you freeze them, though, the duration will be longer. For unopened flour tortillas they will take three or four weeks in the fridge. But in the freezer, they will take six to eight months. If you leave them in the pantry, unopened flour tortillas will take one week.
For corn tortillas they will take six or eight weeks in the refrigerator. In the freezer, they will last for a maximum of eight months. However, on the pantry, they can last between 7 and 10 days.
If your tortillas are homemade, they will last in the freezer for not more than eight months. Homemade tortillas don’t stay in the fridge as compared with other types. It takes less than one week, which is a bit shorter.
Store-bought tortillas tend to last longer in the freezer than homemade tortillas as they’ve got preservatives. To make them last longer, freezer them in their original packaging unopened.
How do you defrost frozen tortillas?
If you freeze flour tortillas, know that moisture may form crystals around them, resulting in condensation. So, it would be best if you were careful with them when thawing to prevent them from being soggy. You should, for this reason, defrost them gradually.
To defrost tortillas, do the following;
- Refrigerate the amount you want to use after removing them from the freezer. Let them stay there for some hours as they thaw.
- After removing the tortillas from the fridge, heat them the same way you’d do to fresh ones. You can either use a pan, oven, or stovetop. But look for heating instructions on the packaging if you bought your tortillas. This process should take not more than one hour.
- Alternatively, you can use a microwave to thaw your tortillas when in a hurry. Set the microwave on low power. Remember, if you heat them in a hurry, though, they’ll become soggy.
Also, your tortillas might tear up easily and mush together. When microwaving frozen tortillas, don’t do it for more than ten seconds to prevent them from losing their freshness.
If you use parchment paper between each tortilla, you will have an easy time defrosting them. Your tortilla will also come out in its original shape and flavor.
To prevent your tortillas from being wet after defrosting, you should avoid removing them from the freezer when not ready to use.
It will help if you put them in the fridge 24 hours before using them. Then 30 minutes to use your tortillas let them stay at room temperature. Use the open flame to heat your tortillas to get the best results.
Can you defrost corn tortillas in a microwave?
If you thaw your corn tortillas in a microwave, they will become soggy or chewy. So, it’s advisable to avoid microwaving corn tortillas to maintain their texture.
How to freeze tortillas
Since mold can grow on tortillas if you expose them to moisture for a long, it’s advisable to use the best method to freeze them. Remember, not sealing the freezer bag can allow moisture in. don’t skip any steps while freezing, like putting a wax paper.
Doing that can make them get stuck and lose their taste and freshness. To avoid that, use this method to freeze your tortillas.
- Remove the packaging you bought them with from the store. If you store them in that packaging, they will only last for a few weeks. So, if you intend to freeze them longer and have good results put them in different packaging. If you cooked your tortillas, don’t freeze while still hot. Give them some time to cool before packaging.
- After that, wrap them together in foil or plastic wrap. If you want to prevent them from getting stuck on one another, put wax paper between them. Doing this will give you an easy time when defrosting.
- Then put them in a bigger freezer bag. Ensure you squeeze out the air in the bag and seal tightly.
- Label the bag, write the date and then place them at the back of the freezer. Putting the bag at the back of the freezer will protect them from frequent air fluctuation.
Recipes to use a frozen tortilla for
Since frozen tortillas maintain their taste and freshness longer, you can use them for various recipes and enjoy delicious dishes.
You can use them to make-ahead lunch wraps. Serve them with slow cooker chicken and cheese taquitos or for farm-fresh breakfast quesadillas. Also, you can wrap frozen tortillas in a burrito or make tortilla pizza.
Related: Carne Asada Mulitas 101: Basically a Tortilla Quesadilla
Conclusion
Tortillas are freezer-friendly, so you can make or buy extra and freeze for up to eight months. But ensure you use the right method while freezing to get the best results. Freezing them will help you save money and time you’d spend going to the store.
However, you’ve got to check if they have mold growth during that period, especially after removing some from the same packaging. Also, avoid storing them in a freezer bag with air and keep them at the back of the freezer.
If you’ve been wondering whether frozen tortillas maintain their freshness and taste, I hope this article has been of great help to you. Write to us if you’ve any questions about freezing tortillas in the comments section.
How To Freeze Tortillas The Right Way
Since mold can grow on tortillas if you expose them to moisture for a long, it's advisable to use the best method to freeze them. Remember, not sealing the freezer bag can allow moisture in. don't skip any steps while freezing, like putting a wax paper. Doing that can make them get stuck and lose their taste and freshness. To avoid that, use this method to freeze your tortillas.
Materials
- foil or plastic wrap
Instructions
- Remove the packaging you bought them with from the store. If you store them in that packaging, they will only last for a few weeks. So, if you intend to freeze them longer and have good results put them in different packaging. If you cooked your tortillas, don't freeze while still hot. Give them some time to cool before packaging.
- After that, wrap them together in foil or plastic wrap. If you want to prevent them from getting stuck on one another, put wax paper between them. Doing this will give you an easy time when defrosting.
- Then put them in a bigger freezer bag. Ensure you squeeze out the air in the bag and seal tightly.
- Label the bag, write the date and then place them at the back of the freezer. Putting the bag at the back of the freezer will protect them from frequent air fluctuation.
